My entry for the Classic Space Pocket Money Contest: The 892 Surface Explorer, a surface scooter carrying a little rover for further exploration.

About this creation

First of all, thanks to the Davids for the idea and the realization of The Classic Space Pocket Money Contest. When I first saw the invitation I thought that it was just like made for me :-))

I knew that I wanted to do something like the 6890 Cosmic Cruiser but with the original 1979 look. And it had to carry a rover, not a scooter. When I came home that day I immediately started the design process. This is the result:

The 892 Surface Explorer

Here you can see the rover. It glides with its mudguards on some tiles in the rear of the scooter. It is fixed on its rear end to the scooter with a single 1x2 tile.

Once the driver has taken his seat, the rover can be detached by moving the 1x2 tile.

And there it goes.

Meanwhile the other spaceman can work on the computer...

...or fix something.

He can also take his seat again...

... and go for a spin.

There...

...and back again.

Moving the rover back into its position.

There it is...

And fixed again.

You can count the parts if you want:
There should be 86. LDD counts 102 parts including 5 for each of the 2 sets of newer wheels (instead of 1) and 5 for each of the 2 spacemen (instead of 1). All of the parts should have been available in 1979. In fact, many of them are from 1979 ;-))

And now for the alternative models...
Each of the alternative models uses all of the 86 parts!

Alternative model #1:

A 2 seated scooter (similar to 442/891), a rover (similar to the one in set 483/920) and a little rocket launch pad.

3 - 2 - 1 - Ignition! - Lift off!

Let's see what's that over there...

Alternative model #2:
A small scooter (similar to 885), a little pick-up truck and a radio relay station.

A spaceman can go for further exploration with the truck...

...or with the scooter.

Alternative model #3:
A big 2 seated scooter and a mini rover.

Let's see how fast this thing can go!

Any similarities in shape to certain Corellian freighters are pure coincidence ;-))

So this is my entry for the Classic Space Pocket Money Contest, the LEGO 892 Surface Explorer. I hope you like it :-))

Bonus feature #1: The LDD file with all 4 models
Feel free to download it and build your own one :-))

Bonus feature #2: Just playing around - Some more ideas for alternative models

A great way to deliver a buggy to any spot on the lunar surface! I like the double delta wing and the various thrusters. The buggy has loads of travel for those old, red wheels to go up into the mudguards too! 9 I like the extra features that go with the buggy and space scooter in each alternative. The rocket is nice but the radio relay tower has that enigmatic Classic Space thing about it. What is it for? What does it do? I do think that it would have been good to have had some more variety in the alternatives, as they are quite similar. 8 You can swoosh it, drop the buggy, re-swoosh the space ship and drive the buggy around too. Loads of opportunities for imaginative play and adventures. I like the simple way that the buggy locks onto the spacecraft, an easy feature for kids to use. 8 This MOC takes ideas from the 891 Space Shuttle, 886 Space Buggy, 885 Space Scooter and mashes them up superbly. I think that you’ve done exactly what this section required in its description. 10 Total score 35

Design: Another example of the larger set functionality being squeezed into the smaller set. The drop-off exploration vehicle motif in CS is so strong it can’t help to succeed. In correct 79 grey it looks even more utilitarian and cool.
9.5
Piece Selection: Great piece selection, which really shines through in the alternatives. The second base is a little weaker, but the – as I like to call it – Millenium Falcon space scooter and rocket base are perfect.
9
Playability: So much fun to be had with the drop off buggy. CS playability at its best. And 2 mini-figs!
9.5
CS Factor: So spot -on CS it hurts. I’m six years old every time I look at this.
9.5

My entry was more inspired by the years 84-85, and you've achieved a wonderful take on the 79 side of Classic Space ! The features of the main model are excellent. Really a very strong entry, and nice presentation too !!!

Quoting Senator Chinchilla .
... BTW are the pictures with the gray sheet real or rendered? It looks kind of rendered but I've never seen a grey background like that on any rendered models.

I only used Photoshop for the box set look of the main image. The rest is just camera settings and lighting. The grey sheet is a table cloth, the black one is a fleece blanket. For most of the shots I put an original CS crater plate underneath the table cloth.

Super nifty! Looks like it teleported straight from the 80's. Or 70's. Whenever Classic Space started! BTW are the pictures with the gray sheet real or rendered? It looks kind of rendered but I've never seen a grey background like that on any rendered models.

Nice pics!! They bring a great value to your builds. The main one is excellent, totally in this CS essence. That good old Light Grey... Very clever with the detachable rover. The alternative builds are both fantastic, I love the base with the little rocket. Parrington has a serious competitor with your entry.